Our ladies small group is reading through "The Power of Your Words" by Robert Morris, the senior pastor at Gateway Church in TX.

We met last night and began our discussion about the power of the words we speak. Every word, every situation, to everyone MATTERS. There are no "idle" words. The words we speak, those we remember and those we do not remember, do not just evaporate into thin air. They are remembered, obviously by God, He is recording every statement we make - which causes me to stop and think before I speak - sometimes. I need to remember always that I am not speaking to thin air. But our words also impact those around us, our husbands, our children, our friends, and neighbors.

I was speaking with a friend yesterday who replayed a conversation she and her mother had a few years ago, her mom said some horrible things, things that wounded my friend deeply - they are engraved in her memory and her mother. does. not. remember. speaking them. at. all. The story gave me pause, how many things have I said in anger that I did not mean and do not remember that are engraved on my babies hearts? I pray for the Lord to show me any wounds I have caused them that I may repent specifically and mend, apologize, and rebuild.

One of the discussion questions asks what do you feel you can do to learn to control your toungue. The only way I can control my toungue is to stay focused on the Lord and maintain an eternal perspective by asking myself "How important is this issue that is threatining to send me over the edge emotionally?" Truly I have a difficult time remembering the exact times I have lost control verbally because the event/ trigger was so insignificant. I tend to overreact when I am too tired, overstressed, over stretched, over booked etc. But if I make time with the Lord daily a priority He keeps me and the proper perspective is easy to maintain.

We are only on Chapter 2 - so far the most powerful, sobering truth Mr. Morris pointed out is that I am speaking not to MY husband or MY children but to God's precious children. It really puts everything into perspective when I realize they are not mine, Jesus has granted me the priveledge of caring for His beloved. How am I doing? How are you doing? Most days, pretty good, some days, not so much. I refuse to continue to use how I *feel* to dictate how I act! Who's with me? I will rise up and be the woman, wife and mother I am called to be - even when I don't *feel* like it!